Like I told in an earlier post, I've sold Ark Nova after 100 plays. To me it felt the whole was less than the sum of its parts. But, what do you think? I miss it. So I've reaquired it. 😄 At the end of this month I'm going to visit a friend for some gaming, and he was willing to let it go. More than willing, I might add.
Perhaps the family will like it, but the game really takes way to long multiplayer. It becomes a yawn-fest. So I intend to keep playing it solo as a filler game. Quick to the table, 45 - 50 minutes of distraction, sometimes twice in a row. Somehow this game lends itself to plays when I'm tired. Not every game I own has to be a masterpiece.
To me 45-50 minutes is a 'big' game I can only play once in a while!
Ark Nova has fared amazingly well with critics and gamers anyway, so there is certainly an excellent reason for you to keep coming back at it!
(Yes, I do believe all games in the BGG Top 300 or so are excellent games, provided you enjoy what they aim to do.)